26 June 2024 - Wednesday of the 12th week in Ordinary Time - 2 Kings 22:8-13 and 23:1-3

On this day in 1988, Jesuit priest and Swiss theologian Hans Urs von Balthasar entered eternal life. He had been named by Pope John II to be a Cardinal, but died prior to being elevated to that position. Von Balthasar and his good friends Joseph Ratzinger and Henri de Lubac founded the influential theological journal Communio in 1972, reflecting the spirit of the Second Vatican Council in which all three participated. During his lifetime, he authored 85 books and more than 500 articles and essays.  Ordained a Jesuit priest, he later left that order after he helped found the community of St John with his friend Adrienne von Speyr.  That group is a Catholic institute of consecrated lay people that works toward the sanctification of the world.  He then became incarnated as a Diocesan priest with the Diocese of Chur in Switzerland.  A major Catholic theologian in the 20th century, he never held an academic position.  In the homily at the funeral of von Balthasar, Pope Benedict XVI said that in his teachings and writings, von Balthasar “points the way to the sources of living waters.”  Along with his collaborator, Adrienne von Speyr, the Diocese of Chur has opened up their cause for canonization.  

We have been hearing from the 2nd book of Kings these last several weeks at Daily Mass; these readings have jumped around many centuries to recount the different prophets and kings who had authority in Ancient Israel.  Today we hear how the book of the law of God was found in the Temple after having been lost for many centuries. Many modern Scripture scholars believe that this is the Book of Deuteronomy that was found.  King Josiah is contrite and repentant when he hears God’s law read to him out of this book. The words of Scripture speak to him deeply. He realizes how he and his people have strayed from God’s law in so many ways. 

Although not all of us are called to be theologians or prophets, we are called to grow in our faith, to learn more about our faith, and to apply our faith in our daily lives. May the Lord continue to lead us and guide us on our journey, helping us to grow in our faith.